Alkan: Etude in E Major Op. 35 No. 12 (Ronald Smith)

"Etude de Concert (Technique des Octaves)" by Charles-Valentin Alkan, the final etude in the Op. 35 set, played by Ronald Smith. This etude is the "other" octave study (overshadowed by No. 5, "Allegro Barbaro", which Smith has also recorded), and is very playful and catchy, yet probably difficult to hum because of how the melody zips by quickly, chromatically, and in beat subdivisions of five (something Alkan used in a few of his other compositions, too). I wish Smith recorded all twelve etudes from Op. 35, but at least he did Nos. 5, 10, 11, and 12. Hope you enjoy!

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[d920cwc]

As pointed out, he wasn't young and he always recorded in a single take - no going back to fix the odd passage here and there. He was a vastly under-rated pianist.

Thank you for uploading this.

[OrangeSodaKing]

@d920cwc Always recorded in a single take? Wow!! And you are welcome. :)

[f1f1s]

Thank you for bringing this pioneering recording! It's a real pleasure to enjoy it again, again and again! The measure and 4:02 is a THING -- Liszt's Rhapsody 6 Finale would seem a walk in the park afterwards.

The middle section has anticipated many late XX century TV show opening themes and movie soundtracks -- its repeated bass and chord changes often show up on 1970s TV clips.

The whole spirit of Alkan's divine music scornfully spits at modern popular feckless gaiety of untalented cattle!

[OrangeSodaKing]

@f1f1s Hehe, about 4:02, I've practiced this etude a little bit and it's not quite as difficult as it sounds. Try the octaves near the end of Liszt's sonata that are fast AND have jumps (especially the left hand). It's a great etude and recording isn't it?

[OrangeSodaKing]

@f1f1s However, Smith did not record this until after both Ringeissen and McCallum did, so I'm afraid Ringeissen's is really the pioneering recording.

[4candles]

Thanks for uploading Smith's performances. That central section with the interlocking hands is so tricky!

These performances are very impressive, but especially so when you realise that he was 72 when he recorded them!

[OrangeSodaKing]

@4candles WOW, I never sat down to think about that! I was a bit curious because there is the occasional missed or dropped note, but even if he were still in his 20's, I wouldn't mind them because they were few and far between. Better to miss a note or two than have a mechanical, soul-less recording! As for the interlocking hands, try the last movement of Ginastera's first sonata, Op. 22. ;) Thanks for keeping up with and commenting on my videos! I have a couple more coming today.

[amanderj]

This is so easy and delightful to listen to (but obviously not easy to perform!) I love the way the felicitous melody skips about all over the keyboard, in fragments here and there, playfully, like a kitten scampering up and down the keyboard or a butterfly flitting over a flower bed. Wish I could play it at all, let alone as well as this.

[Mozartstavanger]

@MrDenull Amen!

[MrDenull]

Yeahh many meanings about this performance. Please calm down and JUST LISTEN!! This is great! If you have problem with that. Do something else.

[xakoviski]

Is it me or this piece has several resemblances to Chopin etude opus 25 no. 9?! :)

Very nice, thanks for the upload.

[AdamKuczynski]

@OrangeSodaKing I've played both Liszt's Rhapsody #6 and his Sonata in B-minor, but still think this piece looks like an absolute nightmare to play in comparison, haha. Then again, I even find Allegro Barbaro more difficult than the aforementioned octaves...